Crystal Palace midfielder Daichi Kamada has emerged as a doubt for next Saturday’s Premier League opener against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Last season’s FA Cup winners are in high spirits after they beat reigning Premier League champions Liverpool on penalties to win the Community Shield for the first time at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.
Kamada was handed a start in midfield by Eagles head coach Oliver Glasner, but he was forced off with an unspecified leg injury and replaced by Will Hughes just before the half-hour mark.
Liverpool were leading 2-1 at the time, but Ismaila Sarr restored parity for Palace in the 77th minute, before Dean Henderson inspired the Eagles to a 3-2 shootout victory after saving two penalties.
After the match, Glasner admitted that he could be without Kamada for their first Premier League game of the new season against Chelsea when discussing the makeup of his squad and whether new signings will be made before the summer transfer window closes.
Crystal Palace's Daichi Kamada on August 10, 2025
Kamada an injury doubt for Premier League opener at Chelsea
"I'm very happy with the squad because they just won another trophy,” Glasner told TNT Sports. “I see the number of games we have to play next season as a reward, we want to win something and we want the European football.
“We might miss Daichi Kamada - who got injured today - at Chelsea next week and it's times like this where we will assess our targets and find the right players."
The severity of Kamada’s injury remains unknown and Glasner is expected to provide a fresh update on the 29-year-old’s fitness at his pre-match press conference.
Kamada joined Palace last summer on a free transfer and featured regularly under Glasner last season, making 43 appearances in all competitions including 34 Premier League outings.
The potential absence of Kamada, who played in both home and away matches against Chelsea (both 1-1 draws) last season, could see Hughes or Jefferson Lerma deputise in centre-midfield alongside Adam Wharton.
Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi lifts the Community Shield on August 10, 2025
Palace receive Guehi fitness boost after winning Community Shield
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace supporters were given an injury scare when captain Marc Guehi gingerly walked off deep into second-half stoppage time.
However, Glasner confirmed at his post-match press conference that Guehi only came off with cramp, meaning he should be fit and available to play against his former club Chelsea.
Guehi has been the subject of transfer speculation in recent weeks, though, with Liverpool allegedly the favourites to win the race for his signature should he leave Selhurst Park this summer.
The 25-year-old centre-back, who has entered the final year of his contract, has established himself as a star player for the Eagles since joining the club in 2021, making 156 appearances across all competitions.
Elsewhere on the injury front, Palace quintet Eddie Nketiah, Matheus Franca (both thigh), Chadi Riad, Cheick Doucoure (knee) and Caleb Kporha (back) were all absent from Palace’s squad for the Community Shield and will not recover from time to face Chelsea.
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